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04/24/09

The DSPS Main Office is located at the Cypress Continuing Education Center. We are located off parking lot #4.

Simpson, Denise: Program Director
Denise started with DSPS in 1986 as an adjunct instructor. She has taught many of the DSPS classes, both on campus as well as at many off-site locations. Denise next moved into the DSPS office as a Disability Specialist where she assessed students and assisted students in planning their course of study. In March 2000, Denise became the Program Assistant where she oversees the DSPS programs at Anaheim, Cypress, Wilshire, and 8 off-site programs. Denise is currently the California Association of Postsecondary Education and Disabilities (CAPED) President.

Gottdank, Adam: Disabilities Specialist / Wilshire/Anaheim Campus
In 2005, Adam joined the DSPS team as a part-time disabilities specialist and then became a full-time disabilities specialist in July, 2007. Adam has a B.A. degree in Psychology from CSUF, a M.A. in Psychology, with an emphasis on counseling from Pepperdine, a Ph.D. in education, and special education policy from UC Santa Barbara. Adam is currently teaching at Cal State Fullerton, and Cypress College. Adam has over 20 years of experience in working with Special Education.

OUR GRANT TEAM

Arroyo, Jose: LD Specialist

Alcordo, Christopher: Mobility Trainer

Benavidez, Alex: Vocational Specialist

Guajardo, April: Mobility Training Coordinator

Nguyen, Anthony: Assistant

Obritz, Michelle: Vocational Specialist

Reeves, Megan: Mobility Trainer/Vocational Specialist

Baca: Mobility Trainer

OUR FACULTY AND CLASSROOM STAFF

Aisawa, Robert: Instructor
Robert teaches in the ILS class and DSPS classes at our Cypress Campuses.

Anderson, Aletha: Instructor
Aletha works at WATRC. Aletha joined DSPS in 2008. She is also working at our Wilshire Campus and off-site at Westview. Also teaches at Anaheim.

Anderson, Barbara: Instructor
Barbara has worked for the District, since 1978. Barbara has a Bachelor’s Degree from CSULB, and a Master’s Degree from CSUF.

Baca, Joel: Instructional Assistant
Joel has been working with the District since 1987. In 1996, Joel became the Instructional Assistant for DSPS. During this time, Joel completed his Bachelor’s Degree and is currently working on a Master’s Degree in Special Education.

Barrett, Debra: Instructor
Debra has been an instructor for DSPS since 2000. Debra has a B.A. in Deaf Studies from CSUN, a B.A. in Psychology from CSUF and a Masters in Occupational Studies, with an emphasis on Special Populations, from CSULB. She also has several years of experience in adaptive computer technologies.

Bashir, Joseph: Assistant

Bennett, Barbara: Instructor
Barbara started teaching for the North Orange County Community College District in 1980. She has a B.A. in Psychology from San Diego State University, a M.S. Degree in Education from CSUF, and an Adult Ryan Clear Teaching Credential from UCLA.

Breen, Theresa: Instructor

Brown, Julie: Instructor
Julie has been with DSPS since 1999. She has a B.A. in Psychology from CSUDH, and a Master’s Degree in I/O Psychology from CSULB. She has her Master’s Degree in Library and Informational Science from San Jose State University. Julie recently won Faculty of the Year award in 2014.

Burkhardt, Diana: Instructor
Diana has been teaching Braille Transcribing for the School of Continuing Education since 1981. In 1996, Diana received her certification as a Braille Transcriptionist by the Library of Congress. Burroughs, Marie-Anne: Assistant

Caudillo, Julie: Instructional Assistant
Julie started with DSPS in 2000. Prior to joining the DSPS, Julie worked for 10 years with the Norwalk/La Mirada School District and three years with the ABC Unified School District. She has received an Instructional Assistant Certificate from the Norwalk/La Mirada R.O.P. and has also worked with behavior modification and in-home therapy.

Cunningham, Julia: Instructor
Julia began with DSPS in 2004. She has a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Columbia State University. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education with a minor in Science from the University of Illinois.

Day, Dean: Instructor
Dean has been with DSPS since 1979. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocational Education from CSULB. In addition, Dean has taken coursework in assistive computer technology at DeAnza College in Cupertino, California.

Faro, Mary: Instructional Assistant
Mary has been with DSPS since 2001 in the Independent Living Skills Class (ILS). Prior to joining ILS, Mary was a tutor for DSPS students in the High School Program. Mary has also taught an exercise class at WTRC as an Adjunct Instructor. Mary completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services and her Master of Arts Degree in Education/Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix in 2007.

Foreman, Virginia: Assistant
Virginia is an assistant in our ILS class at the Cypress Campus.

Hertz, Jana: Assistant
Jana works at Braille in the Transcribing Class.

Hill, Lynn: Instructor
Lynn started teaching with DSPS in 2007. She worked for ABC Unified School District from 1981-2006. She has her B.A. in Psychology and received her teaching credential from CSU Northridge. She has her M.S. in Special Education from CSULB and her resource specialists certificate from USC.

Katz,Chana: Instructor
Chana currently teaches Nutrition and Exercise at Enriching and Westview.

Larsen, Erika: Assistant

Mammen, Eric: Instructor
Eric joined DSPS in 2002. Eric has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy from Chapman University.

Marquez-Herrera, Amalia: Assistant

Martinez, Veronica : Assistant
Veronica is an assistant in our ILS class at the Cypress Campus.

Moore, Barbara: Instructor
Barbara has been with DSPS since 1999, where she taught in the classroom. In Spring of 2001, Barbara served as DSPS Disabilities Specialist. In Fall of 2006, Barbara started teaching in the classroom again. Barbara has a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Ohio State, and a Master’s Degree in Public Health from UCLA.

Mungaray, Sally: Instructor

Myers, Jill: Instructional Assistant
Jill has been working for DSPS since 1981 as both an instructional assistant and substitute instructor. She graduated with a B.A. degree in Liberal Studies and teaching credential from CSU Chico.

Pietrzak,Edyta: Instructor
Edee joined the DSPS program in 2004 as an hourly instructional assistant. In 1990, Edee received her B.A. from Teachers College in Poland where she began teaching elementary school. She received her M.A. in elementary education in 1995. In 2003, Edee came to California, got married and began taking ESL classes at Cypress College. She finished her credential and started teaching our classes in 2006.

Reeves, Chuck: Assistant
Chuck is an assistant at WTRC with Linda Morphew.

Sibley-Smith, Andrea: Instructor
Andrea has worked for NOCCCD in the DSPS program since 1974. She received her B.A. from CSUF. In addition to her teaching assignment, Andrea serves as the President of the SCE Academic Senate.

Smith, Debi: Student Services Specialist
Debi has been with DSPS since 1981. However, her association with special populations began in Illinois in 1976. She has completed several courses on adaptive equipment from De Anza College in Cupertino.

Stanojkovic, Ivan: Instructor

Stephens, Craig: Instructor
Craig has been working for DSPS since 1996 and became a full-time instructor in 2000. In addition, he has 20 years of experience working with the developmentally delayed population in various capacities. Craig has a B.S. Degree in Human Services from CSUF, and received his M.S. Ed./Spec. Ed Program at CSUF in 2007.

Tebo, Patricia: Instructor
Pat has taught a variety of classes at the Braille Institute including Line Dancing, Drama, Exploratory Arts, and Kinesthetic Physical Fitness.

Teter, Katy: Assistant

Toubak, Maryam: Instructor
Maryam started teaching for DSPS in 2002. She teaches Career Preparation and Daily Living Skills. She has a Master’s Degree in Psychology and Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology.

03/03/09

Below are descriptions of DSPS courses, although a course may not be offered for a particular trimester. Please see the online schedule for the most up-to-date course offerings.

DSPS Course Descriptions

Basic Cooking

The basic course will cover such topics such as kitchen safety, planning meals, shopping for food, preparing and storing foods, nutrition, appropriate manners and kitchen organization.

Banking for Apartment Living

Students will learn how to budget their money, pay bills, make purchases, grocery shop, rent an apartment, and interview roommates. The class simulates living in an apartment and the responsibilities of being independent.

Bill Paying and Banking

This is an introductory class that teaches banking vocabulary and step-by-step instructions on how to open and manage a checking account.

Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) offers a large variety of special classes for students with disabilities and accommodations for students who are enrolled in School of Continuing Education (SCE) classes. Our special classes provide students with the skills they need to transition into more independent living and working environments in the community.

The classes are like a “mini-college” experience. While attending our classes part-time, students are encouraged to seek employment, or to participate in some type of volunteer and/or apprenticeship program.

Students and their families who are interested in DSPS should contact us at our main office at Cypress College by calling (714) 484-7057. Our general hours of operation are: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm.